How Spoon Rings Are Made — From Vintage Silverware to Wearable Art
Curious how a spoon becomes a ring? Most people are surprised to learn that a spoon ring starts as an actual spoon — not a spoon-shaped blank or a casting, but a real, vintage piece of silverware that once sat in someone's drawer. The transformation from flatware to finger ring is part craft, part alchemy, and entirely by hand. Here's how it works.
It Starts with the Spoon
Not just any spoon will do. At Laughing Frog Studio, we source authentic vintage and antique silverware — pieces made in the early-to-mid 20th century, when American flatware manufacturers were producing some of the most beautifully detailed patterns ever made. Names like CORONATION, REGENT, DUCHESS, and SHARON aren't just labels — they're the original pattern names stamped by the silversmith, and they're part of what makes each ring unique.
We work with both silverplate and sterling silver flatware. Silverplate pieces have a base metal core (usually white metal or brass) coated in a layer of pure silver — they're durable, affordable, and carry gorgeous vintage detail. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver throughout, making it a precious metal ring in every sense. Both start their second life the same way: as a spoon handle waiting to become something new. Not sure which is right for you? Silverplate vs. Sterling Silver — what's the difference →
A Little History
Spoon rings have been around longer than you might think. They first appeared in 17th-century Europe, when servants would fashion rings from stolen silverware — and the tradition evolved from there into a folk-art form that resurged in popularity during the 1960s and 70s counterculture movement. Today they're worn as everyday jewelry, stacking rings, and meaningful gifts. Read the full history of spoon rings →
The Making Process
Once the spoon handle is cut and the edge is filed smooth, the shaping begins.
Instead of annealing (heating) the metal, we work it in its original state — just as it came from the vintage drawer it lived in.
Most of the shaping happens on a benchtop ring-bending tool, which creates a clean, controlled curve without stressing the silverplate. In certain situations, when a pattern or thickness needs a little extra persuasion, we'll bring in the arbor press for a precise push. The final shaping is done by hand-hammering on a steel mandrel, refining the curve and bringing the ring into a more true, even circle while keeping the original pattern crisp and intact.
Once the ring is fully shaped, it moves to finishing. Each piece is brought to the buffing wheel, where the surface is smoothed and the shine begins to come back. After buffing, the ring is hand-polished with silver polish and a soft cloth to brighten the metal and bring out the details in the original pattern that's been part of that spoon handle since the day it was made.
Why Handmade Matters
There are no molds here. No casting, no injection, no duplicates rolling off a production line. Every spoon ring is shaped by hand from a piece of silverware that already had a life before it became jewelry.
That means two CORONATION rings made from the same pattern will still be slightly different — different wear on the silver, different patina, different character. It also means that when a silverware pattern runs out, it's likely gone. Sometimes we can reorder it, but often times we cannot. We find another piece of vintage silverware and start again.
Every ring we make is one more piece of silverware saved from the melt pile or the landfill. That's the heart of upcycled jewelry: taking something old and well-made and turning it into something you can wear and enjoy again.
How to Choose Your Spoon Ring
Silverplate vs. sterling: Silverplate rings are our most popular — they're more affordable and come in a wider range of vintage patterns. Sterling rings are a step up in both price and precious metal content, and they're a great choice if you're looking for something to wear long-term or give as a meaningful gift.
Wide vs. narrow: Wider bands (made from tablespoon handles) make a bolder statement. Narrower bands (teaspoon handles) are more delicate and stack beautifully.
Pattern vs. plain: Some rings feature ornate floral or figural patterns on the face. Others are simpler and more modern. Both are handcrafted from the same vintage silverware — it just depends on what speaks to you.
Sizing: Not sure of your size? We recommend using a ring sizer for the most accurate fit. Spoon rings are available in whole and half sizes — when in between, size up.
Ready to find yours? Browse our handcrafted spoon rings — each one upcycled from authentic vintage silverware and made by hand at Laughing Frog Studio.
→ Shop Spoon Rings | Sterling Spoon Rings | Classic Spoon Rings
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